Maria (TV series)
| Maria | |
|---|---|
| Genre | TV drama series |
| Created by | Lulu Hassan |
| Written by |
|
| Directed by | Julian S. Mwanzele |
| Starring |
|
| Theme music composer | Ibrahim Chitayi |
| Opening theme | Binti Kichaa |
| Country of origin | Kenya |
| Original languages | |
| No. of episodes | 374 |
| Production | |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 25 minutes |
| Production companies |
|
| Original release | |
| Network | Viusasa |
| Release | 10 October 2019 – 18 March 2021 |
| Related | |
| Zora | |
Maria is a Kenyan romantic television drama directed by Julian S. Mwanzele[1] and starring Yasmin Said[2] as the title character alongside Brian Ogana and Bridget Shighadi, in their first television series. It premiered on 10 October 2019, and the last episode aired on 18 March 2021 after 374 episodes.[3] The series aired weekdays on Citizen TV in its 19:30 time slot EAT and on Viusasa.
The romantic drama camps around three characters Maria, a prepossessing adopted ghetto girl; Luwi, the firstborn son of the wealthy Hausa family and Sofia, his wife whose motive is acquiring her connubial family fortune.
Plot
The fictional story follows the life of Maria Yasmin Said. Having never met her parents, she is raised by her foster mother, Naomi, who dies soon after. Maria is then adopted by William Hausa, a wealthy man from the city's affluent suburbs, where she meets Luwi, the family's eldest son. Despite being legally betrothed to Sofia, Luwi falls deeply in love with Maria. She eventually learns of his feelings and reciprocates. After divorcing Sofia, Luwi proposes to Maria.
However, their blissful romance turns sour when Maria discovers that William, Luwi's father, played a role in her own father's death and the acquisition of his fortune. Matters worsen when it is revealed that Victor is not William's biological son. Victor banishes the entire family from their home, indulges in reckless behavior, and eventually loses his sanity. It is later uncovered that Victor is both Sofia's paternal and Luwi's maternal half-brother, adding a dramatic twist to the story.
William survives a near fatal accident but soon becomes entangled in a conspiratorial scheme with his house manager, Meja, which leads to Sandra's imprisonment. Feeling betrayed, Sandra who has always been secretly in love with William vows revenge. Although Maria once considered suing William for his past crimes, she eventually shows compassion and forgives him. Luwi proposes to her a second time, and she accepts, setting the stage for their wedding.
On the wedding day, tragedy strikes when Brenda, intending to shoot Maria, accidentally kills Sofia instead. Meanwhile, Silas proposes to Vanessa, leaving Maggie heartbroken as she has long been in love with him. William, on the other hand, is arrested, convicted, and sentenced for his crimes.
Months later, Maria and Luwi, now newlyweds, are expecting their first child. As they tour the Maasai Mara, they celebrate their love and look forward to a bright and promising future together.
Couples in Maria
- Luwi and Maria
- Silas and Vanessa
- Victor and Sonia
- Victor and Delilah
Cast
Main
- Yasmin Said as Maria Tino[4]
- Bridget Shighadi as Sofia[5]
- Brian Martins Ogana as Luwi Hausa[6]
- Ronald Ndubi as Victor Hausa[7]
- Dennis Musyoka as Boss William Hausa[8]
- Sheila Ndanu as Madam Victoria Hausa (aka Vickie)[9]
- Wanjiku Stephens as Vanessa Hausa[10]
Supporting
- Linda Alexette as Tobi[11]
- Teddy Brown as Fali[11]
- Belinda Joana as Kobi[11]
- Aisha Hussein as Gloria[11]
- Umar Hussein as Pupa[11]
- Abdalla Ali as Jayden[11]
- Botul Abdalla as Marianne
- Beatrice Dorea as Maggie
- Blessing Lung'aho as Meja
- Carol Kipsuto as Sandra
- Periz Wambui as Salome
- Terry Ombaka as Naomi
- Robert Budi as Trevor
- Grace Obuya as Sister Teresa
- Tina Njambi as Lorna
- Christopher Kamau as Daniel
- Maureen Wangare as Brenda
- Edna Nguka as Delilah
- Musa Ore as Father Ezekiel
- Nyakundi Isaboke as Silas
- Timothy Musyoka as Ben
- Tindo Mwanzele as Mwambe
- Suzie Malaki as Rufina
- Quincy Ando as Thomas
- Edwin Buni as Koros
- Sarah Malaki as Mama Chapo
- Alice Mari as Kanini
- Jane Mulanda as Dogo
- Joseph Kiplabatt as Collo
- Anthony Ashioya as Tekno
- Brian Kibochi as Bondi
Special appearance
- Aseem Sharma as Sonia
Reception
Viewership
| Pilot episode | Finale episode | Average | Ref. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air date | Rating | Air date | Rating | ||
| 10 October 2019 | 31.8% | 18 March 2021 | 36.8% | 29% | [12] |
Reruns
The reruns of weekday episodes of the show aired every Saturday at 16:00 EAT until 20 March 2021.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Kalasha Film & TV Awards | Best Lead Actress in TV Drama | Yasmin Said | Won | [13] |
| Best TV Drama | Maria | [13] | |||
| Best Lead Actor in TV Drama | Brian Ogana | Nominated | [13] |
References
- ^ "Julian S. Mwanzele | Director". IMDb. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
- ^ "Meet the Beautiful "Maria" Yasmin Said and All Maria Show Cast Members with Pictures". Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- ^ Otengo, Victor (18 March 2021). "Brian Ogana emotionally says goodbye to fans after conclusion of Maria TV show". Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
- ^ "Maria Citizen TV Full Cast & their Real Names, Age, Synopsis, Producers and Writers | Jambo News". 2 May 2020. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
- ^ "10 similarities that easily make Bridget & Brenda pass as 'sisters'". Pulse Kenya. 25 April 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ Muli, Davis. "'Maria' actor Luwi Hausa apologizes for 'disturbing' messages to his followers". The Standard. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Actor Ronald Ndubi 'Victor Hausa' confirms relationship with Maria actress Magie". Pulse Kenya. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Meet Maria's Mr William; Actor Who Started as a News Anchor - Kenyans.co.ke". www.kenyans.co.ke. 1 October 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ Ochieng', Jennifer (14 June 2022). "From Telenovelas to ‘Igiza’, Blessing Lung'aho Is Ready for His Comedy Debut". Sinema Focus. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "'I stand for justice': Actress and model Wanjiku Stephens turns activist". Daily Nation. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f Ongaya, Victor (1 May 2020). "Citizen TV Maria cast: Actors and actresses full names and photos - Tuko.co.ke". www.tuko.co.ke. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ Gitonga, Samuel (13 March 2020). "Citizen TV Dominates Entertainment Time Slots in Latest Rankings". Business Today Kenya. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
- ^ a b c Victor Otengo (13 December 2020). "Yasmin Said and Sarah Hassan among big winners at Kalasha Awards". Tuko.co.ke. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
External links
Maria at IMDb